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The one who had just walked into M. Favoral's apartment was already past middle age, colder than ice, and yet kindly, but of that commonplace kindliness which frightens like the executioner's politeness at the scaffold. He required but a single glance of his small but clear eyes to decipher the physiognomies of all these worthy people standing around the disordered table.
Gilberte's hands, the advent of the commissary of police, M. Favoral's escape, and finally the departure of the Saturday evening guests. The disaster which struck Mme. Favoral and her children had been so sudden and so crushing, that they had been, on the moment, too stupefied to realize it.
And in fact never had the slightest suspicion arisen in his mind. In these days of doubtful reputations, he had been proud indeed of M. Favoral's reputation of austere integrity. And he had endured many a cruel reproach, saying to himself that his father had, by his own spotless conduct, acquired the right to be harsh and exacting. "And he has stolen twelve millions!" he exclaimed.
Did she know to what hazards such an engagement would expose her? Was she not about rushing blindfolded towards those deceiving perils where a young girl leaves her reputation, even when she saves her honor? She thought, for a moment, of consulting her mother. But she knew Mme. Favoral's shrinking timidity, and that she was as incapable of giving any advice as to make her will prevail.
"You will always be a fool, my dear!" To Vincent Favoral's first stupor and miserable weakness now succeeded a terrible passion. All the blood had left his face: his eyes was flashing. "Then," he resumed, "all is really over?" "Of course." "Then I have been duped like the rest, like that poor Marquis de Tregars, whom you had made mad also.
I, because the fact of my being a commissary would frighten Mme. Cadelle; you because, being Vincent Favoral's son, your presence would certainly prove embarrassing to her." And so they went out; but M. de Tregars did not remain long alone with Mlle. Lucienne. M. Fortin had had the delicacy not to tarry on the way.
"Why are you here, then?" "How did I know that the count had been sent by you?" "That's a poor reason, sir." "Besides, after what has occurred, after Favoral's flight, I thought myself relieved of my engagement." "Indeed!" "Well, if you insist upon it, I am wrong, I suppose." "Not only you are wrong," uttered Marius still perfectly cool, "but you have committed a great imprudence.
They thought perhaps, they had discovered in him some alarming features; but they had full and entire confidence in their friend Favoral's prudent sagacity.
She said this in such a tone, that the light suddenly flashed upon Mme. Favoral's mind. "Heavens!" she murmured. "Gilberte, my darling child, have you then a secret which your mother does not know?" Yes, Mlle. Gilberte had her secret a very simple one, though, chaste, like herself, and one of those which, as the old women say, must cause the angels to rejoice.
Yours, if I have not been deceived, are more than limited just now." And as the young man blushed, and did not answer, he handed the seven hundred francs to Mlle. Gilberte, saying, "Take this, mademoiselle: your mother permits it." His work was done. To place his seals upon M. Favoral's study was the work of a moment. Beckoning, then, to his agents to withdraw, and being ready to leave himself,
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